Apparatus and method for supporting an article

ABSTRACT

Modular mounting systems for supportably engagement of one or more devices. The systems may include corresponding attachment members and carrier members for selective supportive engagement of one or more devices relative to a base. The attachment members and carrier members may be magnetically engageable. Various form factors for devices, base members, carrier members, attachment members, and other portions of the system are described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/988,217 filed on Jan. 5, 2016, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FORSUPPORTING AN ARTICLE,” and claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/099,945 filed on Jan. 5, 2015, entitled “APPARATUSAND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING AN ARTICLE,” the contents of which areincorporated by reference herein as if set forth in full.

BACKGROUND

As the prevalence and capabilities of mobile devices (i.e. deviceshaving a self-contained power unit for portable, often handheldoperation) continue to increase, consumers increasingly turn to mobiledevices to perform the activities of daily life. For instance, mobiledevices have become more powerful tools in connection with activities atwork and in the home such that mobile devices are increasingly used inlieu of or in conjunction with traditional personal computers or thelike.

However, in relation to many activities performed using mobile devices,the nature of such devices present difficulties in performing many tasksgiven the form factor many such devices take. For example, often suchdevices are relatively small and sleek to promote handheld use. However,many activities performed using mobile devices may be better performedwithout having to hold the device. In this regard, device stands,mounts, or other support apparatuses have been developed to assist insupport of engagement of the device during use. One such example isdescribed in the U.S. Pat. No. 8,900,009, which is co-owned with thepresent application and incorporated by reference in its entirety. Suchproposed methods and apparatuses for supporting an article generallyinclude use of a base to which devices may be attached for supportiveengagement of the mobile device. While this is useful, additionaldevelopment in connection with supportive devices for supporting mobiledevices or the like is needed as the additional number of uses of mobiledevices continues to grow.

SUMMARY

In view the foregoing, it is presently recognized that additionaldevelopments in relation to device mounts for supporting articles suchas mobile computing devices may be provided to assist in the utilizationof mobile devices to perform various different activities (e.g., inrelation to work and home life). Accordingly, described herein areembodiments that relate to a modular approach for supportive engagementof a plurality of devices. The embodiments described herein may providea system for supportive engagement of a plurality of devices that may beselectively engageable with the system using cooperating carrier membersand attachment members provided in association with the plurality ofdevices. Using this modular approach, systems may be developed that areoperable to support a plurality of devices including, for example, amobile device in combination with one or more accessories related to themobile device for a particular activity or function provided inconnection with the mobile device. Further still, the modular approachto device engagement described herein may facilitate a modular approachfor interchangeably engaging one or more devices with a plurality ofdifferent mounts (e.g., at different locations for use of a device inthe plurality of different locations).

Furthermore, specific embodiments of mounting apparatuses are describedherein that may, for example, be utilized to attach devices to a tubularsupport structure or the like. Such mounting apparatus may be used toprovide a carrier member in a mounting system that may be used inselective supportive engagement of one or more articles in relation tothe tubular support structure to which the mounting apparatus issecured. Such mounting apparatus may be particularly useful forpositioning a carrier member for selective supporting engagement ofdevices to be mounted in relation to tubular structures such as, forexample, in the context of a bicycle or the like.

Accordingly, a first aspect includes a mounting apparatus for supportinga device in relation to a tubular support structure. The apparatusincludes a carrier member that includes a magnetic interconnect portionand a support structure engagement portion. The interconnect portion isadapted for magnetic engagement with an attachment member that isoperatively associable with a device for supportive contact of thedevice by the carrier member when engaged with the attachment member.The apparatus also includes a strap extending from the carrier memberand adapted for engagement of a tubular support structure to secure thesupport structure engagement portion to the tubular support structure.The attachment member includes a magnetic portion. Also, at least one ofthe magnetic portion of the attachment member or the magneticinterconnect portion of the carrier member comprises at least onemagnet. In turn, magnetic interaction between respective ones of themagnetic portion of the attachment member and the magnetic interconnectportion of the carrier member is operable to selectively establish thesupportive contact between the attachment member and the magneticinterconnect portion.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicableto the first aspect. These feature refinements and additional featuresmay be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of thefollowing features that will be discussed may be, but are not requiredto be, used with any other feature or combination of features of thefirst aspect.

For instance, the strap may include features that allow for selectiveengagement and/or disengagement of the tubular member. Accordingly, thestrap may be disposable in a channel of the support structure engagementportion to secure the strap relative to the support structure engagementportion. The strap may include a plurality of notches engageable by apawl of the support structure engagement portion to retain the straprelative to the channel of the support structure engagement portion.Accordingly, the notches and the pawl may define a ratchet interface toallow for one way passage of the strap relative to the channel. Toremove the strap, the pawl may be disposed on a tongue that isdisplaceable from the strap to allow the strap to be selectively removedfrom the channel.

In an embodiment, the attachment member may be associated with a devicethat is supportably engaged by the carrier member upon engagement of theattachment member with the carrier member. The carrier member maycomprise a magnet.

A second aspect includes a system for supportive engagement of multipledevices. The system includes a base member and a first carrier member.The first carrier member includes a first interconnect portion and asecond interconnect portion. The first interconnect portion includes asurface area for conformal adjacent engagement with the base member, andat least a portion of the surface area is supportively contactable withthe base member. The system also includes a first attachment memberoperatively associable with a first device. The first attachment memberis removably attachable to the second interconnect portion of the firstcarrier member. In turn, the first device is supportably engageable withthe second interconnect portion. The system also includes a secondcarrier member associable with the first device comprising a thirdinterconnect portion. The third interconnect portion is removablyattachable to a second attachment member. As such, the second attachmentmember is operatively associable with a second device. The secondattachment member is removably attachable to the third interconnectportion of the second carrier member. As such, the second device issupportable engageable with the third interconnect portion. Accordingly,the base member, the first carrier member, the second carrier member,the first attachment member, and the second attachment member, eachcomprises a magnetic portion such that at least one of the magneticportions comprise at least one magnet. In turn, magnetic interactionbetween respective ones of the magnetic portions is operable toselectively establish the supportive contact between the base and thesurface area of the carrier member, the removable attachment of thefirst attachment member to the second interconnect portion, and theremovable attachment of the second attachment member to the thirdinterconnect portion.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicableto the second aspect. These feature refinements and additional featuresmay be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of thefollowing features that will be discussed may be, but are not requiredto be, used with any other feature or combination of features of thesecond aspect.

For instance, in an embodiment the first carrier member and the secondcarrier member may each comprise a magnet and each of the magneticportions of the first attachment member and the second attachment membermay comprise magnetically interactive portions attractable to respectivecorresponding ones of the magnet of the first carrier member and thesecond carrier member. In another embodiment, at least one of the firstcarrier member or the first attachment member is integrally providedwith the first device. For instance, the first carrier member and thefirst attachment member may both be integrally provided with the firstdevice. Furthermore, at least one of the second carrier member or thesecond attachment member is integrally provided with the second device.Additionally, the first interconnect portion and the third interconnectportion may be identical in configuration (i.e., be of the same size,shape, etc.).

Accordingly, the system may provide for modular engagement of variousapparatuses. In this regard, the first device may include at least oneof a speaker, a battery, a solar panel, a projector, a camera, a cameraaccessory, a light, a cable management device, a writing instrumentholder, or a paper management device. Furthermore, the second device mayinclude a handheld computing device. As such, the handheld computingdevice is in operative communication with the first device.

A third aspect includes a device for use in a modular mounting system.The device includes an first attachment member operatively associatedwith the device and adapted for selective magnetic engagement with afirst carrier member. The device further comprises a second carriermember operatively associated with the device and adapted for selectivemagnetic engagement with a second attachment member. The firstattachment member is operative to engage the first carrier member tosupportively engage the device using the first carrier member, andwherein the second carrier member is operative to supportably engage thesecond attachment member to supportably engage a second deviceoperatively associated with the second attachment member.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicableto the third aspect. These feature refinements and additional featuresmay be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of thefollowing features that will be discussed may be, but are not requiredto be, used with any other feature or combination of features of thethird aspect.

For example, the first carrier member and the second carrier member eachhave an interconnect portion of substantially identical configuration.

A fourth aspect includes a kit associated with a device mounting system.The kit includes a first base member having a first interconnect portionfor magnetic interaction with an attachment member. The kit furtherincludes a second base member having a second interconnect portion formagnetic interaction with an attachment member. Additionally, the kitincludes an attachment member that is operatively associable with adevice for selective supportive engagement by the first base member orthe second base member.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicableto the fourth aspect. These feature refinements and additional featuresmay be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of thefollowing features that will be discussed may be, but are not requiredto be, used with any other feature or combination of features of thefourth aspect.

For instance, the first interconnect portion and the second interconnectportion are of substantially identical configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of mounting systemin an exploded state.

FIG. 1B depicts a side view of an embodiment of a mounting system in anexploded state.

FIG. 2A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a mounting systemwith various components thereof attached.

FIG. 2B depicts a side view of an embodiment of a mounting system withvarious components thereof attached.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a modular system for attachment of aplurality of devices.

FIG. 4 depicts use of an embodiment of a modular system for support of adevice at a plurality of locations.

FIG. 5 depicts a side view of an embodiment of a system for support of aplurality of devices in an exploded configuration.

FIGS. 6-7 depict perspective views of an embodiment of a system forsupport of a plurality of devices in an exploded configuration.

FIGS. 8-9 depict perspective views of an embodiment of a system forsupport of a plurality of devices in an attached configuration.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a base member forsupport of a device.

FIG. 11 depicts a side view of an embodiment of a base member forsupport of a device.

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a base member forsupport of a device, which is shown in phantom.

FIG. 13 depicts a side view of an embodiment of a base member forsupport of a device with a release mechanism to release a strap thereof.

FIGS. 14 and 15 depict various perspective views of an embodiment of alight that may be supported by a mounting system described herein.

FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a devicesupportable by a system for modular support of devices.

FIG. 17 depicts an elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 16 engagedwith another device.

FIG. 18 depicts a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 16 engaged with abase.

FIGS. 19-22 depict various modular base units that may be configuredmodularly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the inventionto the particular form disclosed, but rather, the invention is to coverall modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within thescope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The present disclosure generally relates to embodiments for mountingarticles or devices such as mobile devices including, for example,portable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, orthe like. However, the embodiments described herein may be utilized inconjunction with any other device or apparatus to be mounted including,for example, computers, monitors, displays, pictures, televisions, soundsystems, speakers, GPS devices, e-book readers, laptops, netbooks,tablets, or any other appropriate device or article. Additionally, anarticle supported by the embodiments of mount systems may be anon-electronic device or article such as a photo, poster, piece of art,or other appropriate article to be physically supported. In particular,described herein is a modular approach to device mounting forsupportably engaging a device such that a plurality of devices may besupportably engaged relative to a base. In this regard, each of theplurality of devices supportably engaged relative to the base may beprovided or associated with coordinating members for selectivesupportive engagement. The coordinating members may comprise magneticportions. In turn, at least one of the coordinating magnetic portions ofthe devices to be supportably engaged may include a magnet to facilitatemagnetic engagement between the coordinating magnetic portions of thedevices to be supportably engaged relative to the base.

In this regard, a plurality of devices may be supportably engaged as“stacks” whereby a plurality of devices that are supportively engaged byway of the coordinating members may define the stack. In this regard,stacks of devices may be provided informed for performing a particulartask. For example, during a presentation, a mobile device executing aprogram for presentation, one or more speakers, a projector, or otherdevices that may assist in the presentation may be provided to form astack that may be supported by a base for use during the presentation.As may be appreciated, each of the devices provided in the stack may besupportably engaged by way of the coordinating members comprisingmagnetic portions for magnetic engagement between the devices. Otherstacks may be provided for different tasks whereby the devices providedin the stack maybes particularly selected for the task.

Furthermore, the embodiments described herein also facilitate a modularapproach for device mounting whereby a device may be fitted with a givenattachment member for utilization with a plurality of different bases.In this regard, mounting systems may be facilitated whereby one or moredifferent devices may be supportably engageable with a plurality ofdifferent bases (e.g., different locations). One or more differentmobile devices may be utilized with a plurality of bases. Accordingly, adevice may be interchangeably utilized with different bases in differentcontexts. For example, a given device may be supportably engaged by abase in a first location (e.g., a kitchen), and thereafter moved to asecond location (e.g., a living room) for supportive engagement with adifferent base.

Further still, the present disclosure further includes embodimentsdirected to a particular base member that be used to mount the device toa tubular support structure. The base member may include a carriermember for utilization in conjunction with a mounting system asdescribed herein. In one particular nonlimiting example, the tubularsupport structure may comprise one or more components of a bicycle orthe like. In this regard, the base member may include an engagementstructure (e.g., carrier member) that is secured relative to the tubularsupport structure. In turn, a device may be securely engaged to themounting device utilizing coordinated corresponding members (e.g.,magnetically interactive attachment and carrier members) that mayprovide for supportable engagement of a device.

FIGS. 1A-2B depict an embodiment of a mounting system 100 that may beutilized by embodiments described herein. The mounting system 100generally includes a base member 102. As depicted in FIGS. 1A-2B, thebase member 102 may comprise a base member. However, other embodimentsbe provided including a base member 102 that integrates a carrier member104. In this regard, the system 100 further includes a carrier member104 and an attachment member 106. The attachment member 106 isoperatively associable with a device to be supportably engaged by themounting system 100. In turn, the attachment member 106 is removablyattachable to the carrier member 104 and the carrier member 104 issupportably engageable with the base member 102. The attachment of thecarrier member 104 to the base member 102 as well as the attachmentmember 106 to the carrier member 104 may be facilitated by way ofmagnetic interaction between the elements. In this regard, a deviceassociated with the attachment member 106 may be supportably engaged bythe mounting system 100 by supportive engagement with the carrier member104 that is in turn engaged with the base member 102.

The base member 102 may be supportably engageable with a substrate (notshown in FIGS. 1A-2B). For example, the base member 102 may be rigidlymounted to a surface or may be disposed on a surface that supportablyengages the base member 102 (e.g., on a stem or the like). Additionally,other base members 102 that do not include a base member 102 may beprovided as discussed in greater detail below. The base member 102 mayinclude a convexly curved surface area 108. At least a portion of theconvexly curved surface area 108 is unobstructed. That is, the convexlycurved surface area 108 includes at least a portion that is notobstructed when the base member 102 is supportively engaged with a base.As shown in FIGS. 1A-2B, the convexly curved surface area 108 maycomprise at least a portion of a spherical surface. Alternativeembodiments include a convexly curved surface area of any appropriateshape or contour (e.g., an ovoid or the like).

As stated above, the carrier member 104 is supportively contactable withthe base member 102. In this regard, the carrier member 104 includes afirst interconnect potion 110 that is adapted for supportive engagementwith the base member 102. The first interconnect portion 110 includes aconcave surface area 114 that is shaped for conformal adjacentengagement with the convexly curved surface area 108. The concavesurface area 114 of the first interconnect portion 110 is also adaptedfor selective positioning through a continuum of positions defined onthe convexly curved surface area 108. For example, the firstinterconnect portion 110 may be positioned throughout the unobstructedportion of the convexly curved surface area 108.

The concave surface area 114 may, for example, be adapted for conformalsurface to surface contact across substantially all of the concavesurface area 114 of the first interconnect portion 110 of the carriermember 104. As such, the radius of curvature of the concave surface area114 may be substantially the same as the radius of curvature of theconvexly curved surface area 108 along at least a portion of theconvexly curved surface area 108. In this regard, when the carriermember 104 is in supportive contact with the base member 102,substantially all of the concave surface area 114 may be in surface tosurface contact with a portion of the convexly curved surface area 108.Alternatively, at least a portion of the first interconnect portion 110such as a portion of the convexly curved surface area 108 may be inconforming contact with the convexly curved surface area 108. Forexample, a rim portion extending about a circumference of the carriermember 104 may contact the convexly curved surface area 108.

The carrier member 104 also includes a second interconnect portion 112.The second interconnect portion 112 is adapted for contact with theattachment member 106 to facilitate the removable attachment of theattachment member 106 to the carrier member 104. The first interconnectportion 110 and the second interconnect portion 112 may be disposed onopposite end portions of the carrier member 104. As such, when the firstinterconnect portion 110 is supportively engaged with the base member102, the second interconnect portion 112 may face radially outward fromthe convexly curved surface area 108.

In an embodiment, the second interconnect portion 112 may besubstantially planar. In this regard, the attachment member 106 mayinclude a corresponding planar surface 122 for contact with the secondinterconnect portion 112. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1A-2B,the attachment member 106 may comprise an annular disk. In additionalembodiments, the attachment member 106 may take additional forms (e.g.,a solid circular disk, a polygon shape, etc.). The attachment member 106may be of a shape corresponding to the shape of the second interconnectportion 112. Alternatively, the attachment member 106 may have a shapedifferent than that of the second interconnect portion 112. For example,at least a portion of the attachment member 106 may overhang (i.e.,extend beyond) the second interconnect portion 112 or at least a portionof the second interconnect portion 112 may overhang (i.e., extendbeyond) the attachment member 106 when the carrier member 104 is incontact with the attachment member 106.

As stated above, the attachment member 106 is operatively associablewith a device or other object that is to be supportively engaged by themounting system 100. The attachment member 106 may be associated with(e.g., attached to), the device in any manner known in the art. Forexample, the attachment member 106 may be integrated with the device,associated with a cover attachable to a device, bonded to a device(e.g., by way of adhesives or the like), mechanically interconnected tothe device, or otherwise associated with the device. In any regard, theattachment member 106 is capable of supporting the device when theattachment member 106 is attached to the carrier member 104. In thisregard, when the attachment member 106 is attached to the secondinterconnect portion 112 of the carrier member 104, the device withwhich the attachment member 106 is associated may be supported.

Additionally, it will be noted that multiple attachment members 106 maybe provided with respective ones of a plurality of different devices. Inthis regard, the attachment members 106 for each device may be operativeto be removably connected to the carrier member 104. As such, the basemember 102 and carrier member 104 may be used in conjunction with one ofthe attachment members 106 and devices such that the various devicesthat are associated with an attachment member 106 may be interchangeablyattached to the carrier member 104.

As mentioned above, the supportive contact between the base member 102and the carrier member 104 as well as the removable contact between thecarrier member 104 and the attachment member 106 may be provided by wayof magnetic interaction between respective magnetic portions of the basemember 102, carrier member 104, and attachment member 106. The magneticportions of the base member 102, the carrier member 104, and theattachment member 106 may be discrete portions provided on each of themembers, or may comprise substantially the entire element (e.g., theelement may be made from a magnetically interactive material such as aferromagnetic material). One or more of the magnetic portions of thebase member 102, carrier member 104, and attachment member 106 maycomprise at least one magnet. The others of the magnetic portions of thebase member 102, carrier member 104, and attachment member 106 may bemagnetically interactive such that they are attracted to the at leastone magnet. In this regard, magnetic interaction between respective onesof the magnetic portions may establish the supportive contact betweenthe base member 102 and the carrier member 104 as well as the removableattachment between the carrier member 104 and the attachment member 106.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A-2B, the carrier member 104includes a magnet 116. The magnet 116 may be disposed generally betweenthe first interconnect portion 110 and the second interconnect portion112. For example, an over-molded enclosure 117 may be formed about themagnet 116 to define the features of the carrier member 104 discussedabove (e.g., the first interconnect portion 110, the second interconnectportion 112, etc.). The carrier member 104 may be of a one piececonstruction or comprise multiple pieces. For example, the carriermember 104 may consist essentially of a magnet 116 and include thestructural features of the carrier member 104 described above. In animplementation, the enclosure 117 may be provided about the magnet 116such that the enclosure 117 defines one or more of the structuralfeatures of the carrier member 104 described above. In any regard, themagnet 116 may be operative to produce a magnetic field at both thefirst interconnect portion 110 and the second interconnect portion 112.The base member 102 and the attachment member 106 may be constructedfrom or include a magnetically interactive material. As such, the basemember 102 may be magnetically attracted to the first interconnectportion 110 and the attachment member 106 may be attracted to the secondinterconnect portion 112. In this regard, the magnet 116 may interactwith the base member 102 to establish the supportive contact between thebase member 102 and the carrier member 104. Additionally, the magnet 116may establish the removable attachment of the attachment member 106 withthe carrier member 104 by way of magnetic interaction between the magnet116 and the attachment member 106.

Turning now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a mounting system 200 formodular mounting of one or more devices is depicted. As will beappreciated and the discussion that follows, the system 200 maygenerally utilize cooperative magnetic interaction between attachmentmembers 206 and carrier members 204 for selective supportive engagementof one or more devices by way of magnetic interaction between theattachment members and carrier members in a manner similar to thatdescribed above in connection with FIGS. 1A-2B. In this regard, thesystem 200 may generally utilize structures corresponding to the carriermember and attachment members as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,900,009,which is incorporated by reference herein in co-owned with the presentapplication. Note specifically that given any attachment member of thesystem 200 may be used in conjunction with any particular carrier memberof the system 200, the system 200 may provide a wide variety offlexibility with regard to the number and/or manner in which devices maybe supported as described in greater detail below. For instance, a givendevice having an attachment member 206 may be connected to any givenother device or base having a carrier member 204. Furthermore, thedevices may be sequentially connected using coordinating carrier members204 and attachment members 206 such that the devices are attached in anygiven order appropriate based on the configuration of the attachmentmember 206 relative to the carrier member 204.

With further specific reference to FIG. 3, the system 200 may include abase member 202 that is fixedly supported in relation to a substrate 5.As may be appreciated, the substrate 5 may be a surface upon which thebase member 202 is resting, a tubular support structure, or otherstructure to which the base member 200 may be affixed and/or attached.That is, the depiction of the substrate 5 and base member 202 isprovided in a schematic for illustrative purposes only. In this regard,the base member may be provided on a vertical side of a substrate 5and/or supported or attached to a horizontal side of the substrate 5. Inthis regard, the base member 202 may include any appropriate attachmentstructure that fixedly engages the substrate 5 (e.g., including afastener connection, a clamping connection, resting upon a surface, orany other supportive engagement). Additionally or alternatively, thebase member 202 may include a platform that supportably engages thesubstrate 5 (e.g., the base member 202 may simply rest on the substrate5 and include a suitable platform to supportably engage the base 202and/or devices supported thereby).

The base member 202 may include a first carrier member 204 a. The firstcarrier member 204 a may comprise a magnetic portion as described abovein connection with the carrier member 104 described in connection withFIGS. 1A-2B. The first carrier member 204 a may be fixedly providedrelative to the base member 202 and/or maybe positionable relative tothe base member 202. As may be appreciated, the base member 202 mayinclude a bulbous member and the first carrier member 204 a maycorrespond to a carrier member 104 as described above that allows forpositioning of the carrier member 104 throughout a continuum ofpositions relative to the convex surface area 108. However, the firstcarrier member 204 a may be otherwise positionable relative to the basemember 202 (e.g., the first carrier member 204 a may slide, pivot,rotate, or otherwise move relative to the base member 202) and/or may beprovided in fix relation relative to the base 202.

In any regard, the first carrier member 204 a may be operative tosupportably engage a first device 10. In this regard, the first device10 may include a first attachment member 206 a. The first attachmentmember 206 a may include a magnetic portion as described above inrelation to the attachment member 106. For example, the first attachmentmember 206 a may comprise a ferrous material that is influenced by amagnetic field. In this regard, the first attachment member 206 a andthe first carrier member 204 a may be selectively engageable forsupportive engagement of the device 10 first by the carrier member 204 aupon magnetic interaction between the first attachment member 206 a andthe first carrier member 204 a.

As may be appreciated in FIG. 3, the first device 10 may further beassociated with a second carrier member 204 b. The second carrier member204 b may also comprise a magnetic portion as described above inconnection with carrier member 104. The second carrier member 204 b maybe positioned fixedly or movably relative to the device 10. For example,the second carrier member 204 b may be integrated with the first device10, attached to the first device 10 by way of adhesive, mechanicallyinterconnected to the first device 10, or otherwise associated with thefirst device 10. In any regard, the second carrier member 204 b may beoperative to engage a second attachment member 206 b that may beassociated with a second device 20. In this regard, the second device 20may be supportably engaged by the second carrier member 204 b of thefirst device 10 by way of interaction between the second attachmentmember 206 b and the second carrier member 204 b. In this regard, thefirst device 10 and second device 20 may be collectively supportablyengaged by the base 202 such that the first device 10 and second device20 comprise a “stack” of devices that may be collectively supported bythe system 200.

Additionally, while not shown in FIG. 3, one or more additional devicesthat include an additional attachment member 206 may be provided thatmay engage a third carrier member 204 c associated with the seconddevice 20. In this regard, while two devices 10 and 20 are shown in FIG.3, additional devices may also be provided for similar selectivesupportive engagement as that discussed above in connection with thefirst device 10 and the second device 20. Furthermore, while the seconddevice 20 is shown as having a third carrier member 204 c, it may be thecase that the second device 20 is only associated with an attachmentmember 206 such that no further device may be supportably engagedrelative to the second device 20. However in the case where the seconddevice 20 does include a third carrier member 204 c another devicehaving an attachment member 206 may be provided such that the device maybe selectively supportably engageable with the third carrier member 204c of the system 200. As may be appreciated, provision of additionaldevices having attachment members 206 and carrier members 204 mayfacilitate connection of any number of additional devices in the devicestack. Accordingly, the system 200 forms a modular mounting system thatmay be utilized to mount one or more different devices (e.g., firstdevice 10, second device 20, etc.) to a base member 202.

Of note, any of the attachment members 206 of the system 200 may engageany respective one of the carrier members 204. In this regard, thedevices 10 and 20 may be interchangeably used together or individuallywith the base 202 without limitation. Furthermore, the order in whichdevices are provided in the device stack may be altered. That is, giventhe cooperative interaction between corresponding attachment members 206and carrier members 204, devices may be used in any combination and anydevice having an attachment member 206 may be supportably engaged by anyother device having a carrier member 204.

This concept of interchangeability of various devices and bases isfurther illustrated in FIG. 4 which depicts a first base member 202 aand a second base member 202 b. As may be appreciated, the first basemember 202 a may be attached or affixed to a first substrate 5 a, andthe second base member 202 b may be attached or affixed to a secondsubstrate 5 b. The first substrate 5 a and the second substrate 5 b maycomprise different portions of a single supporting structure or maycomprise wholly different supporting structures (e.g., provided indifferent locations or settings). In any regard, the first base member202 a may include a first carrier member 204 a. The second base member202 b may include a second carrier member 204 b. Accordingly, a device10 may be provided that is associated with an attachment member 206. Asmay be appreciated, the attachment member 206 may be configured forselective supportive engagement (e.g., magnetic engagement) with eitherthe first carrier member 204 a or the second carrier member 204 b.Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 4, the device 10 may be selectivelysupported by either the first carrier member 204 a of the first basemember 202 a or the second carrier member 204 b of the second basemember 202 b. For instance, the device 10 may be utilizedinterchangeably with either the first base member 202 a or the secondbase member 202 b. Furthermore, the device 10, will not shown as havingan additional carrier member 204 in FIG. 3, may in fact include anadditional carrier member 204 for supportive engagement of a stack ofdevices.

As way of example, the first base member 202 a may be provided in afirst location and the second base member 202 b may be provided in asecond location. In turn, a user of the device 10 may engage the device10 by way of cooperative interaction between magnetic portions of theattachment member 206 and the first carrier member 204 a of the firstbase 202 a in a first instance at the first location. In this regard,the user of the device 10 may utilize the device while supported by thefirst base member 202 a. At a different time, the user may remove thedevice 10 from the first base member 202 a and relocate the device 10 tothe second base member 202 b at a second location. In this regard, thedevice 10 may be supportably engageable with the second carrier member204 b of the second base member 202 b in a second instance.Additionally, in the event that a device stack is provided, the entiredevice stack may be moved from a first location the second location.Alternatively, portions of the device stack (i.e. one or more devices)may be moved to be used at a different location. As such, the modulardesign may be provided such that the device may be utilized in aplurality of different locations in a plurality of different instances.

One such particular example where the approach facilitated by the systemshown in FIG. 2 may be advantageous is in the context of supportiveengagement of a smartphone or tablet computing device. In this specificexample, the device 10 may comprise a smartphone or tablet computingdevice having attachment member 206 associated therewith. For example,the device 10 may have an attachment member 206 integrated therewith ormay have the attachment member 206 associated with the device 10. In anyregard, the first base member 202 a may be provided in the firstlocation within a user's home such as, for example, the kitchen. In thisregard, the user may engage the device 10 with the first base member 202a in the kitchen at a first instance when utilizing the device 10 for afirst given task such as during cooking. The second base member 202 bmay be provided in a different location within the user's house such as,for example, the user's bedroom or living room. In this regard, when theuser desires to use the device 10 during a second instance for a secondtask (e.g., watching a movie), the user may move the device 10 to thesecond base member 202 b for supportive engagement there with whenutilizing the device 10 to watch the movie.

FIG. 5 depicts a further application of the embodiment of the system 100that may utilize modular approach to supporting a plurality of devicesas described in FIG. 3. Accordingly, a base member 102 and a firstcarrier member 104 a may be provided as described above in connectionwith FIGS. 1A-2B. FIG. 5 further includes a first attachment member 106a as described above. FIG. 3 further depicts a first device 10 and asecond device 20. In this regard, the first device 10 may include theattachment member 106 a as described above. The first device 10 may alsoinclude a second carrier member 104 b. The second carrier member 104 bmay have a structure as described above in connection with the firstcarrier member 104 a with the exception of the first interconnectportion 110. Rather than a concave surface area 114 for engagement withthe convex surface area 108 of the base member 102, the firstinterconnect portion 110 b of the carrier member 104 b may be adapted toconformingly engage with the device 10. Accordingly, the firstinterconnect portion 110 of the carrier member 104 b may be generallyplanar. In additional or alternative embodiments, the first interconnectportion 110 of the carrier member 104 b may have any other suitableconfiguration for conformal engagement with the device 10 (e.g.including contoured surfaces or the like).

In any regard, the carrier member 104 b may also have a secondinterconnect portion 112 that may further engage a second attachmentmember 106 b that may be associated with the second device 20. In thisregard, the first device 10 may be supportively engaged with the carriermember 104 a that is in turn supportively engaged by the base member102. That is, magnetic interaction between the base member 102 and thefirst carrier member 104 a may provide supportive engagement between theelements. Furthermore, magnetic interaction between the carrier member104 a and the attachment member 106 a associated with the first device10 may provide supportive engagement of the first device 10 relative tothe first carrier member 104 a. Further still, the second carrier member104 b associated with the first device 10 may provide anotherinterconnect portion 112 that may engage another attachment member 106 bassociated with the second device. Accordingly, a plurality of devices10, 20 may be supportively engaged by the system 100.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6-9, the first device 10 and thesecond device 20 may have an identical footprint in relation to a widthand height of the devices. In this regard, the width and heightmeasurements may refer to the dimensional extent of the devices parallelto a plane defined by the attachment member 106 a or 106 b. That is, thefirst device 10 and the second device 20 may share a common horizontaland vertical footprint. Accordingly, the first device 10 may be disposedsolely within the envelope of the second device 20 such that when viewedin an isometric manner, the first device 10 may not be visible behindthe second device 20. The devices may have different depths dependingupon the nature of the devices. For example, the first device 10 mayhave a greater depth or a lesser depth in the second device 20. As willbe appreciated in greater detail in relation to the discussion of FIGS.16-18 below, the devices of a given device stack may not all share thesame footprint corresponding to identical width and height dimensions.However, at least some of the devices, and potentially all the devices)in a given stack may have identical footprints such that the width andheight dimensions of all the devices in the stack are the same.

As may be appreciated, when an element is described as being associatedwith a device, it may be appreciated that the element may be configuredin any appropriate manner to engage the device. For instance, theelement (e.g., a carrier member and/or an attachment member) may besecured to the device by way of an adhesive. Further still, the elementmay be provided in connection with a case or the like that ismechanically secured to the device. The element could additionally oralternatively be integrated into a chassis of the device itself.Accordingly, an element may be associated with a device in anyappropriate manner to facilitate supportive engagement of the device asdescribed herein.

Additionally, while only the first device 10 is shown with both anattachment member 106 a and carrier member 104 b for supportiveengagement with two other elements, it may be appreciated thatadditional devices having both a carrier member 104 and an attachmentmember 106 may be provided. As these devices may be operative to engagetwo other devices and/or bases, it may be appreciated that such devicesmay be used in conjunction with a stack of devices whereby a pluralityof devices are supportably engaged by cooperative interaction betweencarrier members 104 and attachment members 106.

Accordingly, it may be further appreciated that corresponding attachmentmembers 106 and carrier members 104 may be integrated into a device foruse in a modular approach as provided by the system 100. For example,one such example of a device 10 with an integrated attachment member 106a and carrier member 104 b is shown relation to FIGS. 6-9. Accordingly,with continued reference to FIGS. 6- and 7, the base member 102 isdepicted with a first carrier member 104 a operatively engaged therewith(e.g., by way of magnetic interaction between the base member 102 andthe carrier member 104 a). The first device 10 may include an attachmentmember 106 a that is integrally provided with the device 10.Additionally, as best seen in FIG. 7, the first device 10 may include acarrier member 104 b that is provided integrally with the device 10. Assuch, a second device 20, may be provided with a second attachmentmember 106 b (best seen in FIG. 6). In this regard, the secondattachment member 106 b may interact with the carrier member 104 b ofthe first device 10 so as to supportably engage the second device 20 tothe first device 20 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

As shown in FIGS. 6-9, the second device 20 may comprise a portableelectronic computing device such as a smartphone or tablet computingdevice. In this regard, the attachment member 106 b may be provided in acase or cover 22 that mechanically engages the device 20. In thisregard, the first device 10 may comprise a device 10 that maycommunicate with the second device 20 (e.g., by way of wired or wirelessconnection). As may be appreciated, the second device 20 includes onlyone attachment member 106 b. As such, the second device 20 may comprisea terminal device in the stack. However, additional devices may beprovided in the stack between the second device 20 and the first carriermember 104 a without limitation even though only a single device (e.g.,the first device 10) is shown in FIG. 6-9. The additional devices in thedevice stack may comprise any appropriate device that may include adevice in operative communication with the second device 20. Forinstance, the first device 10 or other additional devices not shown inFIGS. 6-9 may comprise one or more of a speaker, a battery, a solarpanel, a projector, a camera, a camera accessory, a light, a cablemanagement device, a writing instrument holder, a paper managementdevice, or any other device that may or may not electronicallycommunicate with the second device 20.

Accordingly, the first device 10 and the second device 20 (e.g., andpotentially additional devices) make define a device stack that mayprovided such that each device in the stack is supportably engaged byway of cooperative magnetic engagement between corresponding respectivecarrier members 104 and attachment members 106 of the various devices.Furthermore, it may be appreciated that devices may be provided in thestack that are interrelated in order to perform a given task. Forexample, it may be appreciated that a mobile device may be provided as adevice in the stack that may include communication abilities with otherdevices with the stack. For example, the device may include a smartphoneor tablet computing device that may be capable of electronicallycommunicating (e.g., by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cabled connection, or thelike) with one or more additional devices in the stack. For example,another device in the stack may comprise a speaker that may receiveaudio information from the mobile device for playing over the speakerdevice. Furthermore, the stack may include a projector that may becommunication with the mobile device in order to display an image orvideo from the mobile device. As such, the stack may comprise apresentation stack that may be provided such that the stack includes themobile device a speaker device, a projector device, or any other deviceassociated with the presentation that may be utilized together toprovide functionality related to delivering a presentation. The entirestack may be further supported by a base member such as the base member102 or other base such that the entire stack may be supported by thebase on a substrate or surface. Additional stacks provided that includefor example speakers, projectors, amplifiers, cameras, camera flashes,card readers, solar chargers, an additional battery or charger pack, orany other device that may be advantageously supportably engaged alongwith other devices in the stack. Additional tasks may be supported bydevice stacks that may include, for example, device stacks associatedwith tasks such as cooking stacks (e.g., potentially including acookbook holder device, a utensil holding device, a light, a portableelectronic device for display of recipes, etc.), reading stacks (e.g.,potentially including a light, a book holder, portable electronic devicefor display a text, drink holder, reading last holder, etc.), drivingstacks (e.g., potentially including a GPS receiver device, a portableelectronic device for display of information, etc.), party stacks (e.g.,potentially including speakers, lights, etc.), or other appropriate taskspecific stacks.

Furthermore, given that the interaction between the attachment member106 and carrier member 104 may be similar for each device in a stack, itmay be appreciated the devices may be used interchangeably withindifferent stacks. Furthermore, given that a plurality of devices mayinclude an attachment member that may be engaged with any othercorresponding carrier member of the system, it may be appreciated that astack or portions of a stack (e.g., including individual devices) may beutilized with other base members such that a device or a plurality ofdevices from the stack may be utilized with a number of different basemembers as described above in relation to transport of a one or moredevice from a first base to second base correspond to differentlocations for use in different instances. Additional devices may beprovided that may provide additional functionality such as lights, orother devices that may be advantageously supported in a manner describedherein.

Turning to FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13, an embodiment of a base member 200that includes a carrier member 104 for use in supporting one or moredevices as described above is shown. In this regard, the base member 200may be utilized to support a single device or a plurality of devices ina modular system is described above in relation to the foregoingfigures. In particular, the base member 200 may be particularly adaptedto engage tubular support structure T (shown in phantom lines in FIGS.11 and 12) such that the carrier member 104 of the base member 200 maybe secured in relation to the tubular support member T for positioningone or more devices (e.g., a device 10 as shown in phantom in FIG. 12that includes an attachment member 106 which is not shown) in relationto the tubular support member T engaged by the base member 200. The basemember 200 may include a carrier member 104 that may include aninterconnect portion 112 that comprises a magnetic portion including,potentially, a magnet as described above. The base member 200 mayfurther include a support body 210 that may comprise an overmoldedportion that houses the magnet corresponding to the magnetic portion ofthe interconnect portion 112 of the carrier member 104.

The support body 210 may include a strap 212 that is attached to thesupport body 210 at a hinge 214. In turn, the strap 212 may extend fromthe hinge 214 and be supported by the support body 210. Accordingly, thestrap 212 may pivot about the hinge 214 to assist in securing thesupport body 210 to the tubular support structure T. The strap 210 mayinclude a plurality of angled notches 216 and a pull loop 218. In thisregard, the strap 212 may be passed about the tubular support member(e.g., T shown in FIG. 10) such that the strap 212 may extend about thetubular support member T. In turn, a distal end portion 220 of the strap212 may be passed through a channel 224 of the support body 210. Assuch, the pull loop 218 may be grasped by a user to pull the strap 212through the channel 224.

In turn, a tongue 226 having a pawl 228 may be provided. The pawl 228may be disposed relative to the channel 224 such that when the distalend portion 220 of the strap 212 is passed through the channel 224, thepawl 228 may engage the notches 216 on the strap 212 to secure thedistal portion 220 of the strap 212 relative to the support body 210.That is, the pawl 228 may allow the strap 212 to be advanced relativethereto when passing through the channel 224, but may not allow thedistal end portion 220 to be reversibly moved relative to the channel224 without disengagement of the pawl 228. In this regard, the strap 212may be secured about the tubular support member T by passing the distalportion 220 of the strap 212 about the support member T and through thechannel 224 such that the pawl 228 engages the notches 216 on the strap212 to secure the strap 212. The support body 210 may also have aarcuate engagement portion 230 that may engage a portion of the tubularmember about which the strap 212 may pass such that the arcuate member230 engages a portion of the tubular support member to secure thesupport body 210 thereto. For instance, the arcuate member 230 maycomprise an elastomeric pad (e.g., including a rubber material) forengagement with the tubular support member T. the arcuate number 230comprising elastomeric pad may further prevent rotation of the supportbody 210 relative to the tubular member T. In turn, the carrier member104 provided with the support body 210 may be operative to support thedevice 10.

To remove the base member 200 from the tubular member T, the tongue 226may be displaced away from the strap 212 such that the pawl 228disengages from the notches 216 on the strap such the strap 212 may beretracted as shown in the direction of the arrow 232 in FIG. 11 suchthat the strap 212 may be removed from the channel 224 and disengagefrom the tubular support member.

Engagement of a carrier member 104 with a tubular support member may beparticularly useful, for example, in the context of a bicycle having anumber of tubular frame members to which the base member 200 may besecured. For example, the base member 200 may be provided on a handlebarof the bicycle in a position such that the rider of the bicycle may beable to engage a device 10 with the carrier member 104 of the basemember 200 such that the user may view the device during cycling.Furthermore, the base member 200 may be positioned such that the carriermember 104 may be disposed relative to a tubular member of the bicyclesuch that a device 10 comprising a camera may be positioned to recordactivities surrounding of the bicycle during movement of the bicycle.Furthermore, the base member 200 may be utilized to secure additionalbicycling accessories or other devices to the bicycle.

For example, shown in FIGS. 14 is and 15 is a light device 300 that mayinclude an attachment member 106 on a portion of the device 300 oppositea light emitter 310. As such, the base member 200 may be secured to atubular member of the bicycle at either the front and/or rear of thebicycle. In turn, a light device 300 like that shown in FIGS. 14 and 15may be secured to the front and/or rear the bicycle. Furthermore, thelight device 300 may be further utilized with any carrier member of amounting system (e.g., including one other than the base member 200 suchas base member 12 or base member 102 described above).

While the base member 200 is described above as engagement of a tubularsupport structure T, it may be appreciated that the base member 200 maybe provided along any relatively slender member such as a member havinga square or rectangular cross-section. That is, any support member aboutwhich the strap 212 may be provided around may be engaged by the basemember 200 for supportive engagement of a device 10 relative to thesupport member. Furthermore, other base members having varyingengagement structures may be provided such as for example, base membersincluding carrier members that may be adapted for engagement of climatecontrol vents in an automobile or the like.

With further reference to FIGS. 16, 17, and 18, another embodiment of adevice 400 that may be used in modular system 200 as described above isdepicted. FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of the device 400 withoutengagement with any other device. FIG. 17 depicts a top view of thedevice 400 with a second device 20 connected there with. FIG. 18provides a cross-sectional view of the device 400 attached to a carriermember 104 a that is in turn attached to a base member 102.

The device 400 generally includes a recess 410 provided in a first side420 of the device 400. Within the recess is located a carrier member 104b as described above. On a second side 422 device opposite the firstside 420, an attachment member 106 is provided for operative connectionwith a carrier member 104. A first extension 412 and a second extension414 may be provided on opposite sides of the recess 410. The firstextension 412 and the second extension 414 may extend beyond the widthand height dimensions of a second device 20 engaged with the device 400.In this regard, a device 20 engaged with the device 400 may fit withinthe recess 410. The first and second extensions 412 and 414 may, in oneexample, house speaker assemblies. However, other devices may beprovided in the first extension 412 and/or second extension 414including, for example, lights, cameras, or other devices.

In this regard, the device 400 may be in operative communication withthe device 20 supported by the device 400. For instance, audioinformation may be provided from the second device 22 device 400 forplaying through the speaker assemblies provided in the first extension412 and the second extension 414. While the second device 20 such as asmartphone or tablet computing device is shown connected to the device400, it may be appreciated that another device having both an attachmentmember 106 as well as a further carrier member 104 you provided forfurther engagement of additional devices to create a further stack ofdevices.

With further reference to FIGS. 19, 20, 21, and 22, various embodimentsof a modular base system 410-440 are depicted. For example, withreference to FIG. 19, a modular unit 410 is shown that may include afirst modular base unit 402 a and a second modular base unit 402 b areshown. Each of the modular base units 402 may comprise a base member 102for use as described above in relation to supporting device. The modularbase units 402 may also include a power source (e.g., a battery, wiredpower plug, solar cell, etc.). In addition, either or both modular baseunits 402 may have connectivity to another device to support datacommunication to and/or from the modular base unit 402. Such datacommunication may be by way of a wireless interface (e.g., Bluetooth orthe like) or a wired interface (e.g., USB or the like).

Furthermore, the first modular base unit 402 a may engage a bridgemember 404 a. The second modular base unit 402 b may also engage thebridge member 404 a. In this regard, an engagement structure tophysically connect the modular base units 402 with the bridge 404 a maybe provided such as, for example, clasps, male/female connectors, or thelike. Furthermore, the bridge member 404 a may include electrical portsengageable by one or more of the modular base units 402 to establishelectrical communication between a modular base unit and the bridgemember 404 a. Furthermore, the bridge member 404 a may establishelectrical communication between the first modular base unit 402 a andthe second modular base unit 402 b. In this regard, the bridge member404 a may provide an electrical bridge to connect the first modular baseunit 402 a and the second modular base unit 402 b. This electricalbridge may facilitate exchange of power and/or data communications.Accordingly, a first of the first modular base unit 402 a or the secondmodular base unit 402 b may establish electrical communication by way ofthe bridge member 404 a such that only a first of the modular base unitsneed provide power and/or data communication. That is, the modular baseunits 402 may share an electrical interface by way of a single interfaceand may include electrical communication between the modular base units402 by way of the bridge member 404 a.

Furthermore, other embodiments of a bridge member 404 may be providedthat include additional or alternative features as described below. Forexample, in FIG. 20 a modular unit 420 is depicted that may include abridge member 404 b that is engageable by modular base units 402 a and402 b. The bridge member 404 b may be at least partially or fullytranslucent or transparent. In this regard, either one or both themodular base units 402 may include a light that may be utilized toilluminate the bridge member 404 b. In this regard, the modular unit 420may at least partially function as a light provided by the illuminationof the bridge member 404 b by the first modular base unit 402 a and/orsecond modular base unit 402 b.

With further reference to FIG. 21, a modular unit 430 is shown having abridge member 404 c that may be configured to provide a storage volumein which items may be placed and/or stored. Further, as shown in FIG.22, the first modular base unit 402 a and second modular base unit 402 bmay be directly connected to provide electrical communication or thelike between the first modular base unit 402 a and the second modularbase unit 402 b. Other embodiments of bridge members 404 may be providedwithout limitation such that additional functionality may be providedsuch as, for example, bridge members 404 that include additional basemembers 102 for use in a system for supporting a device, further storagecapabilities or arrangements than the configuration shown in FIG. 21, oradditional devices such as, for example, speakers, monitors, projectors,or other hardware that may utilize mechanical and/or electricalconnection with the first modular base unit 402 a and the second modularbase unit 402 b.

In still further embodiments, additional modular base units 402 may beprovided such that additional bridge members 404 and/or additionalmodular base units 402 may be provided without limitation. In thisregard, the connections between the bridge members 404 or modular baseunits 402 may include mechanical and/or electrical communication betweenmembers to facilitate physical engagement as well as electricalengagement to provide power and/or data communication between thevarious modules. In this regard, any number of base units or bridgemembers may be facilitated as desired.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description isto be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character. Forexample, certain embodiments described hereinabove may be combinablewith other described embodiments and/or arranged in other ways (e.g.,process elements may be performed in other sequences). Accordingly, itshould be understood that only the preferred embodiment and variantsthereof have been shown and described and that all changes andmodifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desiredto be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting apparatus for supporting a device inrelation to a tubular support structure, the apparatus comprising: acarrier member comprising a magnetic interconnect portion and a supportstructure engagement portion, wherein the interconnect portion isadapted for magnetic engagement with an attachment member that isoperatively associable with a device for supportive contact of thedevice by the carrier member when engaged with the attachment member;and a strap extending from the carrier member and adapted for engagementof the tubular support structure to secure the support structureengagement portion to the tubular support structure; wherein theattachment member comprises a magnetic portion, at least one of themagnetic portion of the attachment member or the magnetic interconnectportion of the carrier member comprises at least one magnet, whereinmagnetic interaction between respective ones of the magnetic portion ofthe attachment member and the magnetic interconnect portion of thecarrier member is operable to selectively establish the supportivecontact between the attachment member and the magnetic interconnectportion.
 2. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strap isdisposable in a channel of the support structure engagement portion tosecure the strap relative to the support structure engagement portion.3. The mounting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the strap comprises aplurality of notches engageable by a pawl of the support structureengagement portion to retain the strap relative to the channel of thesupport structure engagement portion.
 4. The mounting apparatus of claim3, wherein the notches and the pawl define a ratchet interface to allowfor one way passage of the strap relative to the channel.
 5. Themounting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pawl is disposed on a tonguethat is displaceable from the strap to allow the strap to be selectivelyremoved from the channel.
 6. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe attachment member is associated with a device that is supportablyengaged by the carrier member upon engagement of the attachment memberwith the carrier member.
 7. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe carrier member comprises a magnet.
 8. The mounting apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the attachment member is bonded to the device using anadhesive.